Medium access control (mac) signaling for reference signal activation and quasi co-location indication in wireless communication networks

ABSTRACT

Techniques are provided to control the activation of resource sets via medium access control (MAC) signaling. In some aspect, a radio network node generates a MAC message comprising a first field indicating whether a second field is present, or absent, in the MAC message, the second field identifying one or more resource sets among a plurality of resource sets which are to be activated or deactivated, and a third field comprising quasi co-location (QCL) information. The radio network node then transmits the MAC message to a wireless device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/587,465; entitled “MEDIUM ACCESSCONTROL (MAC) SIGNALING FOR REFERENCE SIGNAL ACTIVATION AND CONTROL INWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS”; and filed at the United States Patentand Trademark Office on Nov. 16, 2017; the content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present description generally relates to wireless communications andwireless communication networks, and more particularly relates toactivation and control of reference signals with medium access control(MAC) signaling in wireless communication networks.

BACKGROUND

In LTE, until Release 13, all reference signals (RSs) that a UE woulduse for CSI calculation (CRS and CSI-RS) were non-precoded such that UEwas able to measure the raw channel and calculate CSI feedback includingpreferred precoding matrix based on that. As the number of transmit (Tx)antenna ports increases, the amount of feedback becomes larger. In LTERelease 10, when support for 8Tx closed loop precoding was introduced, adouble codebook approach was introduced where UE would first select awideband coarse precoder and then select a second codeword per subband.Another possible approach is that network beamforms the CSI-RS and theUE calculates CSI feedback using the beamformed CSI-RS. This approachwas adopted in LTE Release 13 as one option for the FD-MIMO as describednext.

Beamformed Reference Signals from LTE

Release 13 FD-MIMO specification in LTE supports an enhanced CSI-RSreporting called Class B for beamformed CSI-RS. Therein, an LTERRC_CONNECTED UE can be configured with K beams (where 1<K≤8) where eachbeam can consist of 1, 2, 4 or 8 CSI-RS ports. For CSI feedback purposes(PMI, RI and CQI), there is a CSI-RS Resource Indicator per CSI-RS. Aspart of the CSI, the UE reports CSI-RS index (CRI) to indicate thepreferred beam where the CRI is wideband. Other CSI components such asRI/CQI/PMI are based on legacy codebook (i.e. Release 12) and CRIreporting periodicity is an integer multiple of the RI reportingperiodicity. An illustration of beamformed CSI-RS is given in FIG. 1. Inthe figure, the UE reports CRI=2 which corresponds to RI/CQI/PMI beingcomputed using “Beamformed CSI-RS 2”.

For Release 14 eFD-MIMO, non-periodic beamformed CSI-RS with twodifferent sub-flavors was introduced. The two sub-flavors are aperiodicCSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI-RS. In both these flavors, the CSI-RSresources are configured for the UE as in Release 13 with K CSI-RSresources, and activation of N out of K CSI-RS resources (N≤K) with aMAC CE is specified. Alternatively stated, after the K CSI-RS resourcesare configured to be aperiodic CSI-RS or semi-persistent CSI-RS, the UEwaits for MAC CE activation of N out of K CSI-RS resources. In the caseof aperiodic CSI-RS, in addition to MAC CE activation, a DCI trigger issent to the UE so that one of the activated CSI-RS resources is selectedby the UE for CSI computation and subsequent reporting. In the case ofsemi-persistent CSI-RS, once the CSI-RS resources are activated by MACCE, the UE can use the activated CSI-RS resources for CSI computationand reporting.

The MAC CE activation/deactivation command is specified in Section 5.19of 3GPP TS 36.321 V14.4.0 where the specification text is reproducedbelow:

The network may activate and deactivate the configured CSI-RS resourcesof a serving cell by sending the Activation/Deactivation of CSI-RSresources MAC control element described in subclause 6.1.3.14. Theconfigured CSI-RS resources are initially deactivated upon configurationand after a handover.

The abovementioned Section 6.1.3.14 of 3GPP TS 36.321 V14.4.0 isreproduced below:

The Activation/Deactivation of CSI-RS resources MAC control element isidentified by a MAC PDU subheader with LCID as specified in table6.2.1-1. It has variable size as the number of configured CSI process(N) and is defined in FIG. 6.1.3.14-1. Activation/Deactivation CSI-RScommand is defined in FIG. 6.1.3.14-2 and activates or deactivatesCSI-RS resources for a CSI process. Activation/Deactivation of CSI-RSresources MAC control element applies to the serving cell on which theUE receives the Activation/Deactivation of CSI-RS resources MAC controlelement.

The Activation/Deactivation of CSI-RS resources MAC control elements isdefined as follows:

-   -   R_(i): this field indicates the activation/deactivation status        of the CSI-RS resources associated with CSI-RS-ConfigNZPId i for        the CSI-RS process. The R_(i) field is set to “1” to indicate        that CSI-RS resource associated with CSI-RS-ConfigNZPId i for        the CSI-RS process shall be activated. The R_(i) field is set to        “0” to indicate that the CSI-RS-ConfigNZPId i shall be        deactivated;

The MAC activation was introduced in LTE to be able to configure the UEwith more CSI-RS resources than the maximum number of CSI-RS resourcesthe UE is able to support for CSI feedback. The MAC CE would thenselectively activate up to the maximum number of CSI-RS resourcessupported by the UE for CSI feedback. The benefit of MAC CE activationfor CSI-RS is that the network may, without the need to reconfigure theUE with RRC signaling, activate another set of N CSI-RS resources amongthe K resources configured for the UE.

Beamforming in NR

For NR, all reference signals may be beamformed. In NR, thesynchronization sequences (NR-PSS/NR-SSS) and PBCH which includes DMRSconstitute a so-called SS Block. An RRC_CONNECTED UE trying to access atarget cell should assume that the SS Block may be transmitted in theform of repetitive bursts of SS Block transmissions (denoted as “SSBurst”), wherein such a burst consists of a number of SS Blocktransmissions following close after each other in time. Furthermore, aset of SS Bursts may be grouped together (denoted “SS Burst Set”), wherethe SS Bursts in the SS Burst Sets are assumed to have some relation toeach other. Both SS Bursts and SS Burst Sets have their respective givenperiodicity. As shown in FIG. 2, in single beam scenarios, the networkcould configure time-repetition within one SS Burst in a wide beam. Inmulti-beam scenarios, at least some of these signals and physicalchannels (e.g. SS Block) would be transmitted in multiple beams, whichcould be done in different manners depending on network implementation,as shown in FIG. 2.

Which of these three alternatives to implement is a network vendorchoice. That choice depends on the tradeoff between: i) the overheadcaused by transmitting periodic and always on narrow beam sweepings, andii) the delays and signaling needed to configure the UE to find a narrowbeam for PDSCH/PDCCH. The implementation shown in the upper figure inFIG. 2 prioritizes i), while the implementation shown in the bottomfigure in FIG. 2 prioritizes ii). The figure in the middle case is anintermediate case, where a sweeping of wide beams is used. In that case,the number of beams to cover the cell is reduced, but in some cases anadditional refinement is needed for narrow gain beamforming of PDSCH.

CSI-RS and CSI Reporting in NR

In NR, the following types of CSI reporting are supported:—

-   -   Periodic CSI Reporting: CSI is reported periodically by the UE.        Parameters such as periodicity and slot offset are configured        semi-statically, by higher layer signaling from the gNB to the        UE.    -   Aperiodic CSI Reporting (AP CSI Reporting): This type of CSI        reporting involves a single-shot (i.e., one time) CSI report by        the UE which is dynamically triggered by the gNB, e.g., by the        DCI in PDCCH. Some of the parameters related to the        configuration of the aperiodic CSI report are semi-statically        configured from the gNB to the UE but the triggering is dynamic.    -   Semi-Persistent CSI Reporting: Similar to periodic CSI        reporting, semi-persistent CSI reporting has a periodicity and        slot offset which may be semi-statically configured by the gNB        to the UE. However, a dynamic trigger from gNB to UE may be        needed to allow the UE to begin semi-persistent CSI reporting.        In some cases, a dynamic trigger from gNB to UE may be needed to        command the UE to stop the semi-persistent transmission of CSI        reports.

Generally, a CSI report setting contains the parameters associated withCSI reporting including the type of CSI reporting.

In NR, the following three types of CSI-RS transmissions are supported:

-   -   Periodic CSI-RS (P CSI-RS): CSI-RS is transmitted periodically        in certain slots. This CSI-RS transmission is semi-statically        configured using parameters such as CSI-RS resource, periodicity        and slot offset. For CSI acquisition, a single semi-persistent        CSI-RS resource is contained within a CSI-RS resource set    -   Aperiodic CSI-RS (AP CSI-RS): This is a one-shot CSI-RS        transmission that can happen in any slot. Here, one-shot means        that CSI-RS transmission only happens once per trigger. The        CSI-RS resources (i.e., the resource element locations which        consist of subcarrier locations and OFDM symbol locations) for        aperiodic CSI-RS are semi-statically configured. The        transmission of aperiodic CSI-RS is triggered by dynamic        signaling through PDCCH. The triggering may also include        selecting a CSI-RS resource from multiple CSI-RS resources.        Multiple aperiodic CSI-RS resources can be grouped into a CSI-RS        resource set.    -   Semi-Persistent CSI-RS (SP CSI-RS): Similar to periodic CSI-RS,        resources for semi-persistent CSI-RS transmissions are        semi-statically configured with parameters such as periodicity        and slot offset. However, unlike periodic CSI-RS, dynamic        signaling is needed to activate and possibly deactivate the        CSI-RS transmission. For CSI acquisition, a single        semi-persistent CSI-RS resource is contained within a CSI-RS        resource set.

In the case of aperiodic CSI-RS and/or aperiodic CSI reporting, the gNBRRC configures the UE with S_(c) CSI triggering states. Each triggeringstate contains the aperiodic CSI report setting to be triggered alongwith the associated aperiodic CSI-RS resource sets.

When the DCI contains a CSI request field with N bits, aperiodic CSI-RSand/or aperiodic CSI reporting can be triggered according to thefollowing conditions:

-   -   Condition 1: When the number of triggering states S_(c)≤2^(N)−1,        MAC CE activation/deactivation is not used and DCI will trigger        one out of the S_(c).    -   Condition 2: When the number of triggering states S_(c)>2^(N)−1,        MAC CE activation is used to activate 2^(N)−1 triggering states.        Then, DCI will trigger the aperiodic CSI-RS and/or aperiodic CSI        reporting associated with one out of the 2^(N)−1 triggering        states. MAC CE can deactivate the currently active triggering        states and activate a new set of 2^(N)−1 triggering states.

In NR, the size of the CSI request field is configurable and can take onvalues of N={0, 1, 2, . . . , N_(max)}. The value of N_(max) is stillunder discussion in 3GPP and is expected to be down-selected from one ofthe candidate values of {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}.

In the case of semi-persistent CSI-RS, the gNB first RRC configures theUE with the semi-persistent CSI-RS resources (as noted above, for CSIacquisition, a single semi-persistent CSI-RS resource is containedwithin a CSI-RS resource set). The semi-persistent CSI-RS resource orsemi-persistent CSI-RS resource set is then activated via a MAC CE.

Quasi co-location (QCL) is a natural way to describe the relationbetween two different signals originating from the same transmissionpoint and that can be received using the same spatial receiverparameters. As an example, the UE should be able to assume it can usethe same receive beam when receiving the two difference signals thathave spatial QCL. The spatial QCL relations between different types ofreference RS and target RS are shown in the table below. Also, shown inthe table are the associated signaling methods. The last column of thetable simply indicates that the target and reference RSs can belong todifferent component carriers (CCs) and different bandwidth parts (BWPs).

Reference RS and Target QCL Reference Target Signaling RS should belongto the parameter RS RS method same CC/BWP or not Spatial SS Block PCSI-RS RRC Can be on different (SSB) CCs/BWPs Spatial SSB SP CSI-RS SPCSI-RS Can be on different activation signal CCs/BWPs Spatial P CSI-RSAnother P RRC Can be on different CSI-RS CCs/BWPs Spatial SSB or APCSI-RS RRC or RRC + MAC Can be on different P/SP CSI- CE forconfiguration, CCs/BWPs RS indication with DCI

SUMMARY

MAC CEs for NR have not been defined yet. One option is to use differentMAC CEs for the following:

-   -   activation of a SP CSI-RS with QCL reference;    -   update of QCL reference for a SP CSI-RS;    -   activation of CSI triggering states containing aperiodic CSI        reporting and/or aperiodic CSI-RS resource sets.

However, this can result in large signaling overhead. Hence, there isroom for signaling improvements.

Hence, according to some embodiments, a MAC CE for SP CSI-RS resourceactivation may be defined which may be used to both activate a SP CSI-RSresource and give the SSB QCL reference for that resource, or in anefficient manner, only update the SSB QCL indication for that resource.Additionally, or alternatively, the same MAC CE could also be used toactivate CSI triggering states containing aperiodic CSI reporting and/oraperiodic CSI-RS resource sets.

According to some embodiments, a MAC CE for SP CSI-RS resourceactivation may be defined which may be used to both activate a SP CSI-RSresource and give the QCL indication as TCI state for that resource, orin an efficient manner, only update the QCL indication as TCI state forthat resource.

According to one aspect, some embodiments include a method performed bya radio network node. The method generally comprises generating a mediumaccess control, MAC, message comprising a first field indicating whethera second field is present, or absent, in the MAC message, the secondfield identifying one or more resource sets among a plurality ofresource sets which are to be activated or deactivated, and a thirdfield comprising quasi co-location, QCL, information, and transmittingthe generated MAC message to a wireless device.

In some embodiments, when the first field indicates that the secondfield is present, the third field comprises quasi co-location, QCL,information for each of the one or more resource sets identified in thesecond field.

In some embodiments, the resource sets may be measurement resource sets.In some embodiments, the measurement resource sets may be channel stateinformation, CSI, measurement resource sets.

In some embodiments, the resource sets may be reference signal resourcesets. In some embodiments, the reference signal resource sets may bechannel state information, CSI, reference signal resource sets.

In some embodiments, the QCL information may comprise one or moresynchronization signal block, SSB, indices, or one or more transmissionconfiguration indication, TCI, indices.

In some embodiments, the first field may comprise one or two bits. Insome embodiments, the first field may consist of one or two bits. Insome embodiments, the second field may a bit string comprising aplurality of bits. In some embodiments, the third field may be a bitstring comprising a plurality of bits.

In some embodiments, the MAC message may be a MAC control element, MACCE.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise, of further comprise,determining which one or more resource sets to activate among theplurality of resource sets prior to generating the MAC message.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise, of further comprise,obtaining the QCL information prior to generating the MAC message.

According to another aspect, some embodiments include a radio networknode adapted, configured, enabled, or otherwise operable, to perform oneor more of the described radio network node functionalities (e.g.actions, operations, steps, etc.).

In some embodiments, the radio network node may comprise one or moretransceivers, one or more communication interfaces, and processingcircuitry operatively connected to the one or more transceivers and tothe one or more communication interfaces. The one or more transceiversare configured to enable the radio network node to communicate with oneor more wireless devices over a radio interface. The one or morecommunication interfaces are configured to enable the radio network nodeto communicate with one or more other radio network nodes (e.g., via aradio access network communication interface), with one or more corenetwork nodes (e.g., via a core network communication interface), and/orwith one or more other network nodes. The processing circuitry isconfigured to enable the radio network node to perform one or more ofthe described radio network node functionalities. In some embodiments,the processing circuitry may comprise at least one processor and atleast one memory, the memory storing instructions which, upon beingexecuted by the processor, configure the at least one processor toenable the radio network node to perform one or more of the describedradio network node functionalities.

In some embodiments, the radio network node may comprise one or morefunctional units (also referred to as modules) configured to perform oneor more of the described radio network node functionalities. In someembodiments, these functional units may be embodied by the one or moretransceivers and the processing circuitry of the radio network node.

According to another aspect, some embodiments include a computer programproduct. The computer program product comprises computer-readableinstructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof the computer program product. When the instructions are executed byprocessing circuitry (e.g., at least one processor) of the radio networknode, they enable the radio network node to perform one or more of thedescribed radio network node functionalities.

According to another aspect, some embodiments include a method performedby a wireless device. The method generally comprises receiving a MACmessage from a radio network node, and decoding the received MACmessage, the MAC message comprising a first field indicating whether asecond field is present, or absent, in the MAC message, the second fieldidentifying one or more resource sets among a plurality of resource setswhich are to be activated or deactivated, and a third field comprisingquasi co-location, QCL, information.

In some embodiments, when the first field indicates that the secondfield is present, the third field comprises quasi co-location, QCL,information for each of the one or more resource sets identified in thesecond field.

In some embodiments, the resource sets may be measurement resource sets.In some embodiments, the measurement resource sets may be channel stateinformation, CSI, measurement resource sets.

In some embodiments, the resource sets may be reference signal resourcesets. In some embodiments, the reference signal resource sets may bechannel state information, CSI, reference signal resource sets.

In some embodiments, the QCL information may comprise one or moresynchronization signal block, SSB, indices, or one or more transmissionconfiguration indication, TCI, indices.

In some embodiments, the first field may comprise one or two bits. Insome embodiments, the first field may consist of one or two bits. Insome embodiments, the second field may a bit string comprising aplurality of bits. In some embodiments, the third field may be a bitstring comprising a plurality of bits.

In some embodiments, the MAC message may be a MAC control element, MACCE.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise, or further comprise, whenthe first field indicates that the second field is present, activatingor deactivating the one or more resource sets identified in the secondfield.

According to another aspect, some embodiments include a wireless deviceadapted, configured, enabled, or otherwise operable, to perform one ormore of the described wireless device functionalities (e.g. actions,operations, steps, etc.).

In some embodiments, the wireless device may comprise one or moretransceivers and processing circuitry operatively connected to the oneor more transceivers. The one or more transceivers are configured toenable the wireless device to communicate with one or more radio networknodes over a radio interface. The processing circuitry is configured toenable the wireless device to perform one or more of the describedwireless device functionalities. In some embodiments, the processingcircuitry may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory,the memory storing instructions which, upon being executed by theprocessor, enable the wireless device to perform one or more of thedescribed wireless device functionalities.

In some embodiments, the wireless device may comprise one or morefunctional units (also referred to as modules) configured to perform oneor more of the described wireless device functionalities. In someembodiments, these functional units may be embodied by the one or moretransceivers and the processing circuitry of the wireless device.

According to another aspect, some embodiments include a computer programproduct. The computer program product comprises computer-readableinstructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof the computer program product. When the instructions are executed byprocessing circuitry (e.g., at least one processor) of the wirelessdevice, they enable the wireless device to perform one or more of thedescribed wireless device functionalities.

Some embodiments may enable reduction in MAC CE payload overhead whencompared to using different MAC CE messages for each of activation of aSP CSI-RS with QCL reference, update of QCL reference for a SP CSI-RS,and activation of CSI triggering states containing aperiodic CSIreporting and/or aperiodic CSI-RS resource sets.

This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplatedembodiments and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects orfeatures of any embodiments or to delineate any embodiments. Otheraspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled inthe art upon review of the following description of specific embodimentswith the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference tothe following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of beamformed CSI-RS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of examples of different configurations ofan SS Burst Set. Top: Time-repetition within one SS Burst in a widebeam. Middle: Beam-sweeping of a small number of beams using only one SSBurst in the SS Burst Set. Bottom: Beam-sweeping of a larger number ofbeams using more than one SS Burst in the SS Burst Set to form acomplete sweep.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example communication networkaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operations of a radio network node accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operations of a wireless device according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a radio network node according to someembodiments.

FIG. 8 is another block diagram of a radio network node according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a wireless device according to someembodiments.

FIG. 10 is another block diagram of a wireless device according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying figures, thoseskilled in the art will understand the concepts of the description andwill recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressedherein. These concepts and applications fall within the scope of thedescription.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, it is understood that embodiments may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits,structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not toobscure the understanding of the description. Those of ordinary skill inthe art, with the included description, will be able to implementappropriate functionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

In the specification, the terms “coupled” and “connected,” along withtheir derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these termsare not intended as synonyms for each other. “Coupled” is used toindicate that two or more elements, which may or may not be in directphysical or electrical contact with each other, cooperate or interactwith each other. “Connected” is used to indicate the establishment ofcommunication between two or more elements that are coupled with eachother.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wireless network 100 that may be usedfor wireless communications. Wireless network 100 includes WDs 110A-110B(collectively referred to as wireless device or wireless devices 110)and a plurality of radio network nodes 130A-130B (e.g., NBs and/or RNCsin UMTS, eNBs in LTE, gNBs in NR, etc.) (collectively referred to asradio network node or radio network nodes 130) directly or indirectlyconnected to a core network 150 which may comprise a plurality of corenetwork nodes (e.g., SGSNs and/or GGSNs in UMTS, MMES, SGWs, and/or PGWsin LTE/EPC, AMFs, SMFs, and/or UPFs in NGC, etc.) (collectively referredto as core network node or core network nodes). The wireless network 100may use any suitable radio access network (RAN) deployment scenarios,including UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network, UTRAN, Evolved UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network, EUTRAN, and Next Generation RadioAccess Network, NG-RAN. UEs 110 within coverage areas 115 may each becapable of communicating directly with radio network nodes 130 over awireless interface. In certain embodiments, UEs may also be capable ofcommunicating with each other via device-to-device (D2D) communication.

As an example, wireless device 110A may communicate with radio networknode 130A over a wireless interface. That is, wireless device 110A maytransmit wireless signals to and/or receive wireless signals from radionetwork node 130A. The wireless signals may contain voice traffic, datatraffic, control signals, and/or any other suitable information. In someembodiments, an area of wireless signal coverage associated with a radionetwork node 130 may be referred to as a cell.

Broadly, the serving cell, e.g., a cell 115, of a wireless device, e.g.,WD 110A, has L SSBs out of which a subset may be configured for thewireless device to be considered as potential QCL reference.Additionally, a wireless device may be configured with M CSI-RSresources or CSI-RS resource sets each having an identification (ID).Here, M has a specified maximum value. SSBs also have IDs which arerepresented, in some embodiments, by a maximum of 6 bits. The maximumnumber of bits required to represent the IDs for CSI-RS resources orCSI-RS resource sets is still open. The maximum number of bits requiredto represent the CSI-RS resource or CSI-RS resource set IDs is denotedby X.

Two main scenarios are considered.

Scenario 1: MAC CE for SP CSI-RS Resource Activation with SSB QCLReference

When a SP CSI-RS resource is activated, a similar approach as for Rel-14eFD-MIMO can be used. The radio network node (e.g., a gNB) can RRCconfigure (i.e., configure with RRC signaling) a certain number of SPNZP CSI-RS resources out of which an activatedMax number of resourcescan be activated simultaneously by MAC CE. As more than one resource canbe activated at the same time, a bitmap of size maxSPResource may beneeded.

As the activated SP CSI-RS resource may also need a QCL assumption, theQCL assumption could be indicated in the same MAC CE by giving the QCLreference. For this, there are two options. According to a first option,a TCI state could be indicated. According to a second option, an SSBindex could be indicated. The number of bits needed to indicate a TCIstate may be 2 or 3 (depending on the agreement reached by the 3GPP RANIworking group) and up to 6 bits for SSB index. The downside of using TCIstate is that options for SSBs are less as each TCI state includes oneRS and that RS may be SSB or CSI-RS. Thus, to be able to refer to anySSB, the SSB ID may preferred over TCI ID.

In order to be able to update the QCL reference with a one or moreoctet(s) MAC CE that is smaller than the MAC CE used for both activatingRSs and updating QCLs, one bit (i.e., a first field) is used to indicatewhether the field (i.e., a second field) for SP CSI-RS resourceactivation is present or not. When the field for SP CSI-RS resourceactivation is not present, the MAC CE may contain, after the first bitA1/R1, QCL references for all currently active RSs (i.e., a thirdfield). If, on the contrary, the field for SP CSI-RS resource activationis present, the MAC CE contains, possibly after the first bit A1/R1 orafter the second field, QCL references for the RSs to be activated(i.e., the third field).

To indicate QCL assumption, the wireless device would receive a MAC CEwhere the first bit R₁ indicates one of the following two possibilities:

-   -   (1) the MAC CE both activates an SP CSI-RS resource and gives        the SSB QCL reference for that resource (for instance, when        R₁=1)    -   (2) the MAC CE only updates the SSB QCL reference for that        resource (for instance, when R₁=0).

If one SP CSI-RS resource is activated or if the SSB QCL reference forone SP CSI-RS resource is updated, bits R₂ to R₇ are used to give thecorresponding SSB index. Then, bits R₈ to R_(n) in the bitmap are usedto point to the one SP CSI-RS resource among maxSPResource resourceswhich is either activated or has its SSB QCL reference updated.Depending on the size of maxSPResource, R_(n) may be in the same octetas R₁ or in a different octet.

If up to activatedMax SP CSI-RS resources are activated simultaneouslyor if the SSB QCL references for up to activatedMax SP CSI-RS resourcesare to be updated, then bits R₂ to R_(6*activatedMax+1) are used topoint to the SSB indices representing the QCL references to theactivatedMax SP CSI-RS resources. Depending on the size of activatedMax,R_(6*activatedMax+1) may be in the same octet as R₁ or in a differentoctet. Then, bits R_(6*activatedMax+2) toR_(6*activatedMax+maxSPResource+1) are used to point to up toactivatedMax out of the maxSPResource resources which are eitheractivated or have their SSB QCL references updated. Depending on thesize of maxSPResource and activatedMax, bits R_(6*activatedMax+2) toR_(6*activatedMax+maxSPResource+1) may be in the same octet as R₁ or indifferent octets.

In some embodiments, instead of SSB indices, TCI indices could be usedin the above examples.

The table below only shows the first octet although the examples inScenario 1 may involve more than one octet in the same MAC CE dependingon the values of activatedMax and maxSPResource.

Scenario 2: MAC CE for SP CSI-RS Resource Activation and CSI TriggeringState Activation

In this scenario, the same MAC CE involving one or more octets is usedto activate SP CSI-RS resources and also to activate CSI triggeringstates containing aperiodic report settings and/or aperiodic CSI-RSresource sets. This scenario assumes that maxSPResource is the maximumnumber SP CSI-RS resources configured at the wireless device by theradio network node (e.g., gNB). The parameter activatedMax denotes themaximum number of SP CSI-RS resources that can be simultaneouslyactivated and the parameter maxCSITriggerstates (denoted as S_(c) above)indicates the maximum number of CSI triggering states configured at thewireless device by the radio network node. In this scenario, the firsttwo bits R₁-R₂ in the first octet are jointly used to differentiatebetween the following cases:

-   -   Case 1: SP CSI-RS resource(s) is/are activated with SSB QCL        reference (for example when R₁=0 and R₂=0)    -   Case 2: SSB QCL reference for SP CSI-RS resource updated (for        example when R₁=0 and R₂=1)    -   Case 3: Activate up to 2^(N)−1 CSI triggering states out of        maxCSITriggerstates when condition 2 above is met (for example        when R₁=1 and R₂=0).    -   Case 4: No activation or update are performed (for example when        R₁=1 and R₂=1)

In Case 1, the remaining bits in the MAC CE may be interpreted asfollows:

-   -   Bits R₃ to R_(6*activatedMax+2) are used to point to the SSB        indices representing the QCL references to the up to        activatedMax SP CSI-RS resources that are activated. Depending        on the size of activatedMax, R_(6*activatedMax+2) may be in the        same octet as R₁ or in a different octet.    -   Bits R_(6*activatedMax+3) to R_(6*activateclMax+maxSPResource+2)        are used to point to up to activatedMax out of the maxSPResource        SP CSI-RS resources which are activated. Depending on the size        of maxSPResource and activatedMax, bits R_(6*activatedMax+3) to        R_(6*activatedMax+maxSPResource+2) may be in the same octet as        R₁ or in different octets.

In Case 2, the remaining bits in the MAC CE may be interpreted asfollows:

-   -   Bits R₃ to R_(6*activatedMax+2) are used to point to the SSB        indices representing the QCL references which are to be updated        for up to activatedMax SP CSI-RS resources. Depending on the        size of activatedMax, R_(6*activatedMax+2) may be in the same        octet as R₁ or in a different octet.    -   Bits R_(6*activatedMax+3) to R_(6*activatedMax+maxSPResource+2)        are used to point to up to activatedMax out of the maxSPResource        SP CSI-RS resources which have their SSB QCL references updated.        Depending on the size of maxSPResource and activatedMax, bits        R_(6*activatedMax+3) to R_(6*activatedMax+maxSPResource+2) may        be in the same octet as R₁ or in different octets.

In Case 3, the remaining bits in the MAC CE may be interpreted asfollows:

-   -   Bits R₃ to R_(maxCSITriggerstates+2) are used to activate up to        2^(N)−1 CSI trigger states out of the maxCSITriggerstates CSI        trigger states. Depending on the size of maxCSITriggerstates,        R_(maxCSITriggerstates+2) may be in the same octet as R₁ or in a        different octet.

Referring to FIG. 4, a high-level signaling and operating diagramaccording to some embodiments is illustrated. The signaling andoperating diagram of FIG. 4 assumes that the wireless device as alreadybeen configured with one or more CSI-RS resource sets.

As shown, the radio network node optionally determines, and identifies,which one of the one or more CSI-RS resource sets to activate (actionS102). As it will be understood, if no CSI-RS resource sets need to beactivated, e.g., because the CSI-RS resource set(s) already activatedare sufficient, the radio network node may make such a determination andidentify no CSI-RS resource sets to be activated. Then, the radionetwork node obtains QCL information or references for the CSI-RSresources sets. The QCL information or references the radio network nodeobtains generally depends on whether the radio network node haspreviously identified CSI-RS resource sets to activate. If the radionetwork node has not identified one or more CSI-RS resource sets toactivate, the radio network node obtains QCL information or referencesfor all the CSI-RS resource sets which are already activated at thewireless device. Otherwise, the radio network node obtains QCLinformation or references for the one or more CSI-RS resource sets whichthe radio network node has identified to be activated. In someembodiments, the radio network node may additionally, or alternatively,determine which, if any, CSI triggering state(s) to activate at thewireless device (action S106).

The radio network node then generates a MAC message to be transmittedtoward the wireless device (action S108). In some embodiments, the MACmessage generally comprises a first field indicating whether at least asecond field is present, or absent, in the MAC message, the second fieldbeing configured to identify the one or more CSI-RS resource sets amongthe plurality of CSI-RS resource sets which are to be activated, and athird field comprising QCL information. Here, the content of the MACmessage will vary depending on whether the radio network node hasidentified one or more CSI-RS resource sets to be activated. If theradio network node has not identified any CSI-RS resource sets to beactivated, then the radio network node will populate the first field ofthe MAC message such that the second field will not be present (as thereare no CSI-RS resource sets to be identified). In such the case, theradio network node will populate the third field with QCL informationassociated with the CSI-RS resource sets already activated at thewireless device. However, if the radio network node has identified oneor more CSI-RS resource sets to be activated, the radio network nodewill populate the first field of the MAC message such that the secondfield will be present (as there are one or more CSI-RS resource sets tobe identified). Then, in such a case, the radio network node willpopulate the third field with QCL information associated with the CSI-RSresource sets to be activated and identified in second field.

In embodiments where in the MAC message can also be used to activate CSItrigger states, the first field may also indicate whether a fourth fieldis present, or absent, in the MAC message. The fourth field isconfigured to identify the one or more CSI trigger states to beactivated at the wireless device.

Once the MAC message has been generated, the radio network nodetransmits it to the wireless device (action S110).

Following the reception of the MAC message, the wireless device decodesit to extract the information it contains (action S112). If the firstfield of the MAC message indicates that the second field is absent,i.e., the MAC message does not carry the second field, the wirelessdevice extracts the QCL information from the third field and updates theQCL information of the CSI-RS resource set(s) which are alreadyactivated at the wireless device (action S116). If the first field ofthe MAC message indicates that the second field is present, i.e., theMAC message carries the second field, the wireless device extracts, fromthe second field, the identification of the CSI-RS resource set(s) to beactivated at the wireless device and extracts, from the third field, theQCL information associated with the CSI-RS resource set(s) to beactivated. The wireless device may also activate the identified CSI-RSresource set(s) (action S114).

As indicated above, in embodiments where the MAC message can also beused to activate CSI trigger states, the first field may also indicatewhether a fourth field is present, or absent, in the MAC message. Insuch embodiments, if the first field of the MAC message indicates thatthe fourth field is present, i.e., the MAC message carries the fourthfield, the wireless device extracts, from the fourth field, theidentification of the CSI trigger state(s) be activated at the wirelessdevice. The wireless device may also activate the identified CSI triggerstate(s) (action S118).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates some operations of the radionetwork node according to some embodiments. The actions illustrated withdashed lines may be optional, and when present, usually occur prior tothe generation of the MAC message (action S208). Furthermore, eventhough these actions are described sequentially, some, or all, of theseactions may occur substantially simultaneously. Hence, as illustrated,the radio network node determines which, if any, resource set(s) among aplurality of resource set(s) to activate (action S202). In someembodiments, the resource sets may comprise measurement resource sets(e.g., CSI measurement resource sets). In some other embodiments, theresource sets may comprise reference signal resource sets (e.g., CSIreference signal resource sets). Though not shown, determining whichresource set(s) to activate among a plurality of resource set(s) mayfurther comprise identify the one or more resource set(s) to activate.If the radio network node does not need to activate any of the pluralityof resource set(s), the radio network node may omit this action. Theradio network node also obtains QCL information associated with theplurality of resource set(s) (action S204). Here, the QCL informationobtained by the radio network node may differ depending on whether theradio network node has determined, and identified, one or more resourcesets to activate. If the radio network node has not determined, andidentified, any resource sets to activate, the QCL information obtainedare associated with the one or more resource sets already activated atthe wireless device to which the MAC message will be sent. Otherwise,the QCL information obtained by the radio network node are associatedwith the one or more resource sets previously determined and identified.In some embodiments, the QCL information may be in the form ofsynchronization signal block, SSB, indices, or in the form oftransmission configuration indication, TCI, indices.

In embodiments where the MAC message may additionally or alternativelycarry the identification of the one or more triggering states to beactivated at the wireless device, the radio network node may determine,and identify, the one or more triggering states to be activated at thewireless device (action S206).

At this point, the radio network node generates the MAC message,possibly in the form of a MAC control element or MAC CE, that will betransmitted to the wireless device (action S208). The MAC messagegenerally comprises at least a first field and a third field. The MACmessage may, depending on the content of the first field, comprise asecond field (and in some embodiments, also a fourth field). Moreparticularly, the first field indicates whether the second field ispresent, or absent, in the MAC message. In some embodiments, the firstfiled comprises one or two bits. In some other embodiments, the firstfiled consists of one or two bits. The second field, which may be a bitstring comprising a plurality of bits, is configured to identify the oneor more resource sets among the plurality of resource sets which are tobe activated. The third field, for its part, which may also be a bitstring comprising a plurality of bits, comprises QCL information. Asmentioned above, the content of the MAC message will vary depending onwhether the radio network node has identified one or more resource setsto be activated. If the radio network node has not identified anyresource sets to be activated (e.g., in action S202), then the radionetwork node will populate the first field of the MAC message such thatthe second field will not be present (as there are no resource sets tobe identified). In such a case, the radio network node will populate thethird field with QCL information associated with the resource setsalready activated at the wireless device. However, if the radio networknode has identified one or more resource sets to be activated, the radionetwork node will populate the first field of the MAC message such thatthe second field will be present (as there are one or more resource setsto be identified). Then, in such a case, the radio network node willpopulate the third field with QCL information associated with theresource sets to be activated and identified in second field.

In embodiments where in the MAC message can also be used to activatetrigger states, the first field may also indicate whether a fourth fieldis present, or absent, in the MAC message. The fourth field isconfigured to identify the one or more trigger states to be activated atthe wireless device.

Once of the MAC message is generated, the radio network node transmitsthe generated MAC message toward to the wireless device (action S210).

It will be appreciated that one or more of the above steps may beperformed simultaneously and/or in a different order. Also, stepsillustrated in dashed lines are optional and may be omitted in someembodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates some operations of the wirelessdevice according to some embodiments. As illustrated, the wirelessdevice receives a MAC message (e.g., a MAC CE) from the radio networknode (action S302). The wireless device subsequently decodes the MACmessage to extract the information and/or commands it contains (actionS304). The MAC message received from the radio network node generallycomprises at least the first field and the third field, the first fieldindicating whether a second field is present or absent. In someembodiments, the first field comprises one or two bits. In some otherembodiments, the first field consists of one or two bits. The secondfield, which may be a bit string comprising a plurality of bits, isconfigured to identify the one or more resource sets among the pluralityof resource sets which are to be activated. The third field, for itspart, which may also be a bit string comprising a plurality of bits,comprises QCL information (e.g., SSB indices, TCI indices, etc.).

If the first field of the MAC message indicates that the second field isabsent, i.e., the MAC message does not carry the second field, thewireless device extracts the QCL information from the third field andupdates the QCL information of the resource set(s) which are alreadyactivated at the wireless device (action S308). If the first field ofthe MAC message indicates that the second field is present, i.e., theMAC message carries the second field, the wireless device extracts, fromthe second field, the identification of the resource set(s) to beactivated at the wireless device and extracts, from the third field, theQCL information associated with the resource set(s) to be activated(action S308). The wireless device also activates the identifiedresource set(s) (action S306). In some embodiments, the resource setsmay comprise measurement resource sets (e.g., CSI measurement resourcesets). In some other embodiments, the resource sets may comprisereference signal resource sets (e.g., CSI reference signal resourcesets).

In some embodiments, the first field may additionally or alternativelyindicate whether a fourth field is present, or absent, in the MACmessage. In such embodiments, if the first field of the MAC messageindicates that the fourth field is present, i.e., the MAC messagecarries the fourth field, the wireless device extracts, from the fourthfield, the identification of the trigger state(s) to be activated at thewireless device. The wireless device then activates the identifiedtrigger state(s) (action S310).

It will be appreciated that one or more of the above steps may beperformed simultaneously and/or in a different order. Also, stepsillustrated in dashed lines are optional and may be omitted in someembodiments.

Embodiments of a radio network node 130 will now be described withrespect to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplaryradio network node 130, according to some embodiments. Radio networknode 130 may include one or more of a transceiver 132, processor 134,memory 136, and communication interface 146. In some embodiments, thetransceiver 132 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to andreceiving wireless signals from wireless devices 110 (e.g., viatransmitter(s) (Tx) 138, receiver(s) (Rx) 140, and antenna(s) 142). Theprocessor 134 executes instructions to provide some or all of thefunctionalities described above as being provided by a radio networknode 130, the memory 136 stores the instructions to be executed by theprocessor 134. In some embodiments, the processor 134 and the memory 136form processing circuitry 144. The communication interface(s) 146 enablethe radio network 130 to communicate with other network nodes, includingother radio network nodes (via a radio access network interface) andcore network nodes (via a core network interface).

The processor 134 may include any suitable combination of hardware toexecute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of thedescribed functions of radio network node 130, such as those describedabove. In some embodiments, the processor 134 may include, for example,one or more computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), oneor more microprocessors, one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)and/or other logic.

The memory 136 is generally operable to store instructions, such as acomputer program, software, an application including one or more oflogic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructionscapable of being executed by a processor such as processor 134. Examplesof memory 136 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile ornon-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information.

In some embodiments, the communication interface 146 is communicativelycoupled to the processor 134 and may refer to any suitable deviceoperable to receive input for radio network node 130, send output fromradio network node 130, perform suitable processing of the input oroutput or both, communicate to other devices, or any combination of thepreceding. The communication interface may include appropriate hardware(e.g., port, modem, network interface card, etc.) and software,including protocol conversion and data processing capabilities, tocommunicate through a network.

Other embodiments of radio network node 130 may include additionalcomponents beyond those shown in FIG. 7 that may be responsible forproviding certain aspects of the radio network node's functionalities,including any of the functionalities described above and/or anyadditional functionalities (including any functionality necessary tosupport the solutions described above). The various different types ofradio network nodes may include components having the same physicalhardware but configured (e.g., via programming) to support differentradio access technologies, or may represent partly or entirely differentphysical components.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another exemplary radio network node 130according to some embodiments. As illustrated, in some embodiments, theradio network node 130 may comprise a series of modules (or units) 148configured to implement the functionalities of the radio network node130 described above. For instance, the radio network node 130 maycomprise a generating module configured to generate a MAC message, and atransmitting module configured to transmit the MAC message to a wirelessdevice 110. It will be appreciated that the various modules 148 may beimplemented as combination of hardware and/or software, for instance,the processor 134, memory 136 and transceiver(s) 132 of radio networknode 130 shown in FIG. 7. Some embodiments may also include additionalmodules to support additional and/or optional functionalities.

Some embodiments of a wireless device 110 will now be described withrespect to FIGS. 9 and 10. Even though the expression wireless device isused throughout the description, it is to be understood that theexpression is used generically. In that sense, other communicationstandards may use different terminology when describing user equipment.For instance, in addition to User Equipment, 3GPP also used mobileterminal (MT). For its part, 3GPP2 uses the term access terminal (AT)and IEEE 802.11 (also known as WiFi™) uses the term station (STA).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device 110 accordingto some embodiments. Wireless device 110 includes one or more of atransceiver 112, processor 114, and memory 116. In some embodiments, thetransceiver 112 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to andreceiving wireless signals from radio network node 130 (e.g., viatransmitter(s) (Tx) 118, receiver(s) (Rx) 120 and antenna(s) 122). Theprocessor 114 executes instructions to provide some or all of thefunctionalities described above as being provided by wireless device110, and the memory 116 stores the instructions to be executed by theprocessor 114. In some embodiments, the processor 114 and the memory 116form processing circuitry 124.

The processor 114 may include any suitable combination of hardware toexecute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of thedescribed functions of wireless device 110, such as the functions ofwireless device 110 described above. In some embodiments, the processor114 may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more centralprocessing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs) and/or other logic.

The memory 116 is generally operable to store instructions, such as acomputer program, software, an application including one or more oflogic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructionscapable of being executed by a processor such as processor 114. Examplesof memory 116 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile ornon-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/orinstructions that may be used by the processor 114 of wireless device110.

Other embodiments of wireless device 110 may include additionalcomponents beyond those shown in FIG. 9 that may be responsible forproviding certain aspects of the wireless device functionalities,including any of the functionalities described above and/or anyadditional functionalities (including any functionality necessary tosupport the solution(s) described above). As just one example, wirelessdevice 110 may include input devices and circuits, output devices, andone or more synchronization units or circuits, which may be part of theprocessor. Input devices include mechanisms for entry of data intowireless device 110. As an example, wireless device 110 may includeadditional hardware 126 such as input devices and output devices. Inputdevices include input mechanisms such as microphone, input elements,display, etc. Output devices include mechanisms for outputting data inaudio, video and/or hard copy format. For example, output devices mayinclude a speaker, a display, etc.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another exemplary wireless device 110according to some embodiments. As illustrated, in some embodiments, thewireless device 110 may comprise a series of modules (or units) 128configured to implement some or all of the functionalities of thewireless device 110 described above. For instance, the wireless devicesmay comprise a receiving module configured to receive the MAC messagefrom the radio network node, and a decoding module configured to decodethe received MAC message. It will be appreciated that the variousmodules 128 may be implemented as combination of hardware and/orsoftware, for instance, the processor 114, memory 116 and transceiver(s)112 of wireless device 110 shown in FIG. 9. Some embodiments may alsoinclude additional modules to support additional and/or optionalfunctionalities.

Some embodiments may also be represented as a computer program productcomprising a non-transitory machine-readable medium (also referred to asa computer-readable medium, a processor-readable medium, or a computerusable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein).The machine-readable medium may be any suitable tangible mediumincluding a magnetic, optical, or electrical storage medium including adiskette, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile discread only memory (DVD-ROM) memory device (volatile or non-volatile), orsimilar storage mechanism. The machine-readable medium may containvarious sets of instructions, code sequences, configuration information,or other data, which, when executed, cause a processor to perform stepsin a method according to one or more of the described embodiments. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other instructions andoperations necessary to implement the described embodiments may also bestored on the machine-readable medium. Software running from themachine-readable medium may interface with circuitry to perform thedescribed tasks.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only.Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to theparticular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departingfrom the scope of the description.

RELATED STANDARD REFERENCES

The following references may be related to the present description:

-   -   3GPP TS 36.321 V14.4.0    -   3GPP TS 36.331 V14.4.0    -   3GPP TS 38.321 V1.0.0    -   3GPP TS 38.331 V0.1.0

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

The present description may comprise these abbreviations and/oracronyms:

-   -   3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project    -   AMF Access Management Function    -   CE Control Element    -   CN Core Network    -   CSI Channel State Information    -   D2D Device-to-Device    -   eNB evolved Node B    -   EPC Evolved Packet Core    -   E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network    -   FD-MIMO Full Dimensional Multiple Input Multiple Output    -   GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node    -   gNB Next Generation Node B (a Node B supporting NR)    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   MAC Medium Access Control    -   MME Mobility Management Entity    -   NB Node B    -   NGC Next Generation Core    -   NR New Radio    -   PGW Packet Data Network Gateway    -   QCL Quasi Co-Location    -   RAN Radio Access Network    -   RNC Radio Network Controller    -   RS Reference Signal    -   SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node    -   SGW Serving Gateway    -   SMF Session Management Function    -   SP Semi-Persistent    -   SSB Synchronization Signal Block    -   TCI Transmission Configuration Indication    -   UE User Equipment    -   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System    -   UPF User Plane Function    -   UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

1-56. (canceled)
 57. A method in a wireless device, the methodcomprising: receiving a medium access control (MAC) message from a radionetwork node, the MAC message comprising a first field indicatingwhether a second field is present or absent, in the MAC message, thesecond field identifying one or more resource sets among a plurality ofresource sets which are to be activated or deactivated, and a thirdfield comprising quasi co-location (QCL) information; and performing anoperation based on whether the second field is present or absent. 58.The method of claim 57, wherein performing an operation comprisesactivating or deactivating one or more resource sets when the secondfield is present.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein activating ordeactivating one or more resource sets comprises activating ordeactivating the one or more resource sets identified in the secondfield.
 60. The method of claim 57, wherein when the first fieldindicates that the second field is present, the third field comprisesquasi co-location (QCL) information for each of the one or more resourcesets identified in the second field.
 61. The method of claim 57, whereinthe resource sets are measurement resource sets.
 62. The method of claim57, wherein the QCL information comprise one or more synchronizationsignal block (SSB) indices.
 63. The method of claim 57, whereinperforming an operation comprises updating QCL information for one ormore resource sets with the QCL information comprised in the thirdfield, when the second field is absent.
 64. The method of claim 57,wherein the first field further indicates whether a fourth field ispresent or absent in the MAC message.
 65. The method of claim 64,wherein, when the first field indicates that the fourth field ispresent, the fourth field indicates one or more Channel StateInformation (CSI) trigger states to be activated.
 66. The method ofclaim 65, further comprising activating the one or more CSI triggerstates indicated by the fourth field.
 67. A wireless device comprisingone or more transceivers and processing circuitry connected thereto, theprocessing circuitry configured to: receive a medium access control(MAC) message from a radio network node, the MAC message comprising afirst field indicating whether a second field is present or absent, inthe MAC message, the second field identifying one or more resource setsamong a plurality of resource sets which are to be activated ordeactivated, and a third field comprising quasi co-location (QCL)information; and perform an operation based on whether the second fieldis present or absent.
 68. The wireless device of claim 67, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to activate or deactivate one or moreresource sets when the second field is present and wherein the one ormore resource sets are indicated by the second field.
 69. The wirelessdevice of claim 68, wherein the third field indicates quasi co-location(QCL) information for each of the one or more resource sets identifiedin the second field.
 70. The method of claim 67, wherein the resourcesets are measurement resource sets.
 71. The method of claim 67, whereinperforming an operation comprises updating QCL information for one ormore resource sets with the QCL information comprised in the thirdfield, when the second field is absent.
 72. The method of claim 67,wherein the first field further indicates whether a fourth field ispresent or absent in the MAC message.
 73. The method of claim 72,wherein, when the first field indicates that the fourth field ispresent, the fourth field indicates one or more Channel StateInformation (CSI) trigger states to be activated.
 74. A method in aradio network node, the method comprising: determining one of activatingor deactivating one or more resource sets and updating quasi co-location(QCL) information; and sending a medium access control (MAC) message toa wireless device, the MAC message indicating one of activating ordeactivating one or more resource sets and updating QCL informationbased on an indication given by a first field of the MAC message. 75.The message of claim 74, wherein the first field indicates whether asecond field is present or absent in the MAC message, the second fieldidentifying one or more resource sets among a plurality of resource setswhich are to be activated or deactivated.
 76. The method of claim 74,wherein the MAC message further comprises a third field comprising theQCL information.